What is Traditional Highland Dress?

[ThistleDown]

Except, hasn't it been mentioned in several discussions on this forum that the "ordinary highland scot" rarely wears a kilt?

I think that you are coming very close to taking traditional highland dress into the realm of historical reenactment, which is fine for those who want to do that. The thing is, though, that you need to recognize that the rules only apply to those who want to assume the highland dress role. The rest of us can wear whatever we feel is appropriate. I am not saying that wearing what you feel is "correct" traditional attire is wrong, but it is wrong to criticize and/or ridicule kilted folk who don't dress by your rules (and you do of course know that there are not really rules on how to dress).

I don't think the statement "the ordinary highland scot rarely wears a kilt" should be taken too seriously, Lyle. On this forum alone there are several Highland Scots who wear civilian Highland dress daily and several who are frequently so dressed. There are not hordes of Highlanders leaping from heather hummock to heather hummock in full kit, that's for sure, but we are to be found if you keep your eyes open. Mind you, we are usually just going about our business so you won't find us in the same places as you, the visitor.

[Lyle1]

I don't think the statement "the ordinary highland scot rarely wears a kilt" should be taken too seriously, Lyle. On this forum alone there are several Highland Scots who wear civilian Highland dress daily and several who are frequently so dressed. There are not hordes of Highlanders leaping from heather hummock to heather hummock in full kit, that's for sure, but we are to be found if you keep your eyes open. Mind you, we are usually just going about our business so you won't find us in the same places as you, the visitor.

Hey, I was only going by what members of this forum who live in Scotland have said on a number of occasions.

[ThistleDown]

Hey, I was only going by what members of this forum who live in Scotland have said on a number of occasions.

Yes, for sure for sure. I sometimes think that we tell you that so you can be surprised when you see one of us in our native habitat still in full pelt. "Oh look (pointing) there's a kilt!" We charge for quick pics, did you know?

The key is that those of us who do wear Highland dress are not to be found on the High Street in full panoply. We are at home feeding the hens and undertaking other mundate tasks.

Changing subject: good heavens that's a fine knowledge of American furniture you have!

Rex

[Red Stag]

Baseball caps have been around for 150 years. See this article. How about a nice cashmere ball cap?

[artificer]

Baseball caps have been around for 150 years.

Syphilis has been around longer... It doesn't make it better.
According to 'Wiki', the hat style only became popular with the advent of latex foam rubber... I think that, pretty much, says it all.


As an item of apparel, it's nothing short of ghastly.

Should you need to fix your truck or mow the lawn (which I enjoy), by all means, wear away. Don't pretend that the 'cap' is a functional item of apparel for the gentleman.

[macwilkin]

Syphilis has been around longer... I doesn't make it better.
According to 'Wiki', the hat style only became popular with the advent of latex foam rubber... I think that, pretty much, says it all.


As an item of apparel, it's nothing short of ghastly.

Should you need to fix your truck or mow the lawn (which I enjoy), by all means, wear away. Don't pretend that the 'cap' is a functional item of apparel for the gentleman.

Plenty of gentleman, my grandfather included, wore baseball caps during WWII. I suppose the Japanese thought the P-61 Black Widow he worked on was far more gastly than his headgear.

We're all Jock Tamson's bairns.

T.

[artificer]

Plenty of gentleman, my grandfather included, wore baseball caps during WWII. I suppose the Japanese thought the P-61 Black Widow he worked on was far more gastly than his headgear.
T.

I personally know plenty of gentlemen in law enforcement who wear the 'cap' as part of their duty uniform who would take exception to your statement.

Gentlemen, apologies if I have offended. However, I do believe you've mis-interpreted the general tack here. Both of these are examples showing the baseball style cap as part of a uniform. I'd wager that neither of the gentlemen in question wore/wear it where inappropriate.
a)It would be against regulations to wear a casual cap to a 'Class A' function.
b)I doubt the gentleman in law enforcement would wear his duty cap to a 'Policemen's Ball'.

My grandfather worked the railroads for 40+ years (after returning from the war) and frequently wore a baseball style cap in the summers, and wore whatever he could to keep himself warm in winter, HOWEVER, apart from fishing, you'd never see him in that style of cap.

A Gentleman is aware of his situation and surroundings, and dresses to best meet them. Wearing a baseball cap (which isn't part of a uniform or workwear ) indoors, at meals, etc, etc, IS inappropriate.

(Edit: what, the "baseball cap" has evoved even further? Moving onward from the "ball" cap, it is now simply called "the cap"? Just anothwer step towards acceptance as tradition, I say. But, in my ignorance and with much shuddering, I must ask: what is a Chav?)

Unfortunately, the baseball cap is quite nearly the only style of cap to be found these days. Everything else, presumably, is a hat. It may be a tradition, but only in it's proper place. Everywhere else it's a fashion no-no.

A brief summary of the term 'Chav' can be found HERE.

[BoldHighlander]

Don't pretend that the 'cap' is a functional item of apparel for the gentleman.

I personally know plenty of gentlemen in law enforcement who wear the 'cap' as part of their duty uniform who would take exception to your statement.

[artificer]

Changing subject: good heavens that's a fine knowledge of American furniture you have!

Rex

tis no' American furniture at' all. The Frenchies are responsible for 'da.
Most of American stuff is made of logs.

(I did, however, spend over a decade in ID {Interior Design}). Gods know, it's gotta be worth som'in'.

Don't bother ta' quiz me onna 'mid century modern' furnishings (American 50's-60's). I live THAT life.